Honoring our Veterans and Grandparents at Cedar Mountain

We have so many activities going on at Cedar Mountain School during the month of November; we look forward to you and your children participating in our various events! I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving! With so many school activities going on this month, I feel this home-to-school quote by Clara Galan is very fitting…

Our Veteran’s Day Parade was enjoyed by all of our guests on Monday, November 12th! The Vernon Township High School Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. Max Taylor, led a procession of our Vets through the front of the school. Following the parade, each of our talented first-grade classes made a presentation of poems, songs, and dancing for the Vets. The ringing of our school bell commemorated the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. Enjoy some pictures from the event…

Child Assault Prevention Program: Cedar Mountain has received a generous grant to have the Child Assault Prevention Program for our kindergarten and first-graders this year. The CAP Program aims to prevent child assault by teaching children to recognize and deal with potentially dangerous situations and by training teachers and parents/guardians to help prevent the victimization of children; their slogan “Empowering our Children to be Safe, Strong, and Free”. The program has two components: a parent/guardian program and individual classroom workshops for children. You can read more about this organization at njcap.org. Our parent/guardian program will be held on Monday, November 12, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., at Cedar Mountain Primary School. This program is for parents only. The parent/guardian program includes information on child sexual assault, identification of child assault victims, reporting of abuse, and crisis counseling skills. There will also be a detailed description of the children’s workshop. Please note that we must have active consent by November 21, 2018, for your child to participate in this program. Here is the memo that was sent home with your children.

Family Math Night is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, at 6:30 pm. Come to learn about our math curriculum and play games that you will take home with you to enhance your child’s math practice while at home. This program has been brought to our building by a generous Vernon Township Education Association Pride Grant. Here is the flier that was sent home.

Cedar Mountain Craft Night is on Wednesday, November 14, at 6:30 pm. The SCA will be leading a family craft that can be used on your Thanksgiving table. Here is the informational flyer.

Spirit Day is Thursday, November 15! Have your child wear blue and gold or his/her “Class of” t-shirts! Go Vikings!

Rebecca Dorney from The Center for Prevention and Counseling will be conducting a 40 Developmental Assets training program for all parents in the Vernon Township School District on Friday, November 16, at 9:45 am, in the Cedar Mountain cafeteria. Here is the flyer with details. A light breakfast will be served at this event. 40 Developmental Assets will train parents on all the ways that they can help their children grow and thrive using assets from their families and community. There are 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities (external assets). The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people (internal assets). This program is very popular among many families that have participated in the past. Check out the Search Institute that developed this program and read how these 40 assets were identified. It is never too early to learn all of the ways to help your child grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible!

For our families that supported the SCA Coffee and Cookie Dough Fundraiser, the SCA will be at school on Friday, November 16, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm for pickup in the main hallway. Thank you for those who purchased coffee and cookie dough. Proceeds from this event will offset the cost of upcoming programs and assembly programs.

SCA Touch-A-Truck will take place on Saturday, November 17, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This is a free event. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Any proceeds for this event will go directly to our emergency responder houses. You and your child will be impressed with the types of trucks, emergency vehicles, and construction vehicles that will be aCedar Mountain! All children from WR and RH are also invited to attend. Here is the informational flyer.

What’s Your Anti-Drug? Annually The Center for Prevention and Counseling holds a poster contest challenging students to express their “anti-drug”. The Center for Prevention and Counseling states that an “anti-drug” is…”The opportunity for students to share something important to them. The message’s simplicity is deceiving because “anti-drugs” are powerful motivators. Whether the “anti-drug” is an internal factor, like a desire to succeed, or external, like family support, it both generates and is supported by feelings of confidence, and success and self-respect that drive the student to take care of him or herself emotionally and physically. The contest is an opportunity to strengthen an important bond, activity, or belief in a child’s life that helps him or her stay alcohol and other drug free.” I am very proud to announce that kindergartener, Ily Culpepper, was selected as one of this year’s winners. Here is the insert that was in the NJ Herald earlier this month. Ily’s drawing can be found on the top of page 4.

Grandparent’s Day is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, November 19-20, 2018. There will be two sessions, one from 10:15-11:30 and 1:30-3:15. Please see the informational that was sent home. If a special family member is attending, we request that you complete the permission form for the special person to visit your child at Cedar Mountain. SchoolCraft Studios will also be at Cedar Mountain for grandparents to have their pictures taken with their grandchildren. Here is the flyer that was sent home.

Our school Book Fair will also be going on during Grandparent’s Day in the Media Center. Stop by and get a head start on holiday shopping! We are in need of parent volunteers for our Book Fair. If you can volunteer any of our sessions on November 19 or November 20, please call the main office at 973-764-2890. We thank you for the time you can devote to our building.

Teacher of the Year Program

You are invited to nominate a teacher for the annual NJ Department of Education Governor’s Teacher of the Year and Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year. Please use this form to nominate a teacher at Cedar Mountain.Our building selection will be made in early December. There are so many outstanding professionals in Cedar Mountain for you to consider! Last year’s recipients were Ms. Mary Rose Cummins, a kindergarten special education teacher, and Mrs. Janet DeSenzo, Technology Coach.

Each candidate should:

Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;

Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;

Expresses themselves in an engaging and articulate way;

Plays an active role in the community as well as the school;

Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;

Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues

November 21: Early Dismissal 1:20- please use the form that was sent home to order a Grab and Go lunch for your child

November 22-23: School CLOSED for the Thanksgiving holiday

November 26-30: Mountain Creek Snowboarding School will be in all gym classes!

December 10-12: SCA Holiday Shoppe

December 12: Zufall Dental Van at Cedar Mountain- a flyer from Mrs. Forrest to follow

December 14: Trimester One report cards issued

December 19: Trip to Glen Meadow Middle School to see the Winter Concert- permission slips to follow

December 21: Early Dismissal 1:20- please order a Grab and Go lunch for your child

Sincerely,

Rosemary Gebhardt

Upcoming Events

We envision a passionate, evolving learning community focused on developing resilient learners by imparting skills that will help them achieve personal academic success and responsible global citizenship. Students will achieve their maximum potential in a safe, nurturing, engaging, inspiring, and challenging environment.

Students, parents, staff, community, and the board of education are responsible for sharing, pursuing, and achieving this vision.